Curtain for motor-vehicles.



K. F. RANGER L LA NI. SPENCER.

CURTAIN FOR MOTOR VEHICLES.

Awucmum mw nov. 2. wxs.

Patented May 2l, 1918. YmYUBLWLI;

K, F5 RANGER n L rw SPENCER.

{JUNI-1m' .FUR MUTH VEHICLES. APPMCAHUN mw Nov. 2

Wl T NESS A rra/mfr UNITEi)` sTATEs PATENT oEEIcE.

KARL F. RANGER, 0F DETROIT, AND LOUIS M. SPENCER, 0F HIGHLAND PARK,

MIGHIGAN CURTAIN FOB MOTORfVEHIOLEB.

Specication of Letters Patent.

Patented May 21, 1918` Application led November 2, 1916. Serial No.139,083

To all whom it ma concern.'

` Be it known t at we, KARL F. RANGER and Louis M. SPENCER, bothcitizens of the United States, fand residing at Detroit, in the countyof Wayne and State of Michigan, and Highland Park, in the county ofWayne and State of Michigan, have invented a new and Improved Curtainfor Motor-Vehicles, of which the following is a Specification.

Side curtains for" motor vehicles are now usually sup orted 4by buttonswhereby they are attached) to the longitudinal bow or associated memberof the top. As is Well known, this construction is objectionable because it interferes with the occupants in get- V ting into or leavingthe veliicle The usual custom is to unbutton the curtain froml itssupport suiciently to allow it to be bent up about a line Joining theopposite upper and lower corners, a Inode of procedure that requirestime and stooping and also carries with it liability of contact with thewet curtain in case it is raining. Numerrous efforts have been made toavoid these difliculties but they have, in turn, involved otherobjections such as expense and encroachment'on the space within theinterior of the cpr. l

One @pe of these improvements consists in a pcket formed in upper faceof the door at'a point near the free edge thereof, together with a post,or other supporting structure, that rises substantiallyy to the lower ede of the longitudinal bow of the top, and as the curtam fastened theretoso that, when the door is swung outwardly, thex post and curtain arecarried with it. This construction is expensive, cannot be sold in themarket as an accessory which is applicabie to substantially all cars(particu larly because of the defacing of the door which is n Vressaryinv its installation), and, when arranged close enough to thelongitudinal bow to prevent ram from beating in, does not allow thenecessary vibration of the bow in a vertical plane.

With these considerations in mind the nature of the present inventionwill be understood; it consists in a motor vehicle body .therein` and acol having a door o in ,ia door swinging lplsib e top for the body,together with a curtain for the space between the upper edge of the doorand the top., 'and means carried solely by the top for supporting theupper, edge of the curtain Ving means for the free end portion 4of thecurtain support; and in the various details of construction shown,described and claimed. e

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation of a motor vehicle showinan adaptation of the invention to a well gknown formA of body and top.Fig. 2 is a fragmentary' The @h support that side view, parts beingbroken away showing a preferred construction of the. curtain support.-Fig. 2* is a section on the line 2-2 of Fig. 2. Fi 3 is a transverses'ec-4 tion-at one side of t e vehicleshowi'ng the means for retainingthe end of -the curtain supporting arm in position on the bow. Fig. 4 isa perspectife view of the arm retaining'I means. Fig.` 5 is afragmentary section through the curtain supporting arm and a portlon ofthe curtain. .,Fig. 6 is a side view` parts beirut,` broken away,showing the curtain support applied to au inclined longitudinal bow. F17 and` 8 are similar views illustrating a ditional modiications. Fig. 9is a part-section part-ele- Y vation showing a modified pivotconstruction. for the curtain arm. Fig. 10 is a view taken from theright hand side of Fig. 9. Like reference characters refer tov likepl'ts.

The car shown 1n Fig. 1 includes the body l having a collapsible topwhich comprises the bows 2, the longitudinal bow 3, Fig.v (that, inpractice, is made sectional and varies conslderably in cross-sectionboth in shape and size in cars of different makers),

and the fabric cover 4. The front portion of the bow 3 rests on or isattachedto the-wind shield s. .suiabi pivots e and i, nested at theirrearedges, are provided for the .doors S and 9, but it will beunderstood that the pivots may be located along front,

` 16 (that .centrally perforated to receive throughout the edges of tliedoors in ctlior or both inA stances. As shown, .the spaces between thefront door and the bow and between the rear door and the bow are closedrespectively, by curtains 11 and 12, the former oi which preferablyextends back to the 'forward edge of the rear door, and, while thecurtain shown terminating in line with the pivots i', it might extendfarther rearwardly. Also one or both curtains might extend beyond theYfree edge of the corresponding door. The construction thus far describedis weil known.

' At points substantially in line with the pivots'for the doors, members15 (Fig. 3), preferably of pressed sheet metal, each ol' which includestwo out-turned Contact points may be formed as end portions of diver inariiis 18) are hooked over the bow groin the inside of the car. Thelower ends of the members are turned lat-- ei'allyr at substantiallyright angles toward the outside of the cai", as indicated ai 19, toconstitute seats for the cylindrical ends 20 of curtain supporting arms21 which are bent upwardly at 22 into close relation to the bow. Boththe ends 20 of the arms and the portions 19 of the hooked members arethe pivot rod 23 that has at its upper end a shoe 24 which is heldfirmly 'in engagement with the lower face of the bow 3 by a strong coils ring 25, the lower end of which bears upon the upper face of theperforated sheet metal disk or washer 26; the disk in turn bears uponthe upper surface of the end 20 and holds the latter closely to the seat19, thereby' alining the curtain support with the bowu and at the sametime establishing a prede termined irictional resistance to the svi/ingWing of the arm (which may be varied by using springs of differentstrengths) and also entirel preventing rattling. li' de-- sired, the eeinents 19 and 26 may be provided respectively with anges 28 and Q9whereby a close relative alinenient of the parts with the axis of thepivot rod '23 is insuredwithout the necessity for accurate work in theformation ci the perforations.

`For convenience a hand grip 30 is secured to the lower end of the pivotwhereby the spring may be compressed to allow the device to be attachedor released.

The curtain support may obviously be readily attached to bows which varyL1rom. one another` to a considerable degree, both in shape and size,and maintains 'the curtainr vin substantially the plane of the doorswinging movement of the latter, it being understood that the lower edgeof the curtain is secured tov the door b vfbuttons 32 or otherwise. Suchportions4 of the curtain as may extend to one side of the door openingare supported by buttons or other fastenings S35-34 (Fig. 2). As

shown in Fig. 5, the curtains already provided lor the car may be usedby passing' a loop 35'oi' Vfabric of a length substantially equal to.the u idtli of the door over the arm 21 and stitching' the upper edgeof the usual curtain thereon.

In order 1o retain tliefrce end of the rods 21 in the' closed position,a holding means.l best shown in Figs. 2., 3 and 4, is provided, but thedetails of the device may be varied within wide limits. This devicecomprises two stamped metal members 36 and 37 including inger grips 38and 39 which receive the ends of a strong fiat spring Hl-Mtb(j latterbeingr passed around a pivot 41 whereby the members are joined. Thesemembers are curved to contorni to the upper and lower surfaces of thebow 3, and it is pre ierred te arrange the pivot 41 at about the upperlevel thereof so that the movement ot the member 37 relatively to themember 3e moet eiectuallv acconiiiioda-tes itself to dili- 't'erenlsizes or" bows. Spring clips 42 and 43. forming parts of the member 36,iiare outwardly from the lower edge of the bow to forni n pocket whereinthe end of the arm 21 is firmly held. If desired the clips 49. and t3may be so shaped as to allow the arm to he withdrawn without force otherthan that applied to the door to open the latter, as is obvious. Theholder thus formed may be readily attached to or detached from the bow.does not rattle, holds the rod 2l securely. and is inexpensive.

lf' desiredVA the free verticali edge of the curtain may be stii'ened bya Small tube 45 (Figs. .2 and having` its upper end split and clampedaround tbe tube 2l b v means oi' the screw 4:6; the tube l5 extends downnearly to the door and may be secured to the curtain bv a 'fabric loop48 suitably sewed thereon. 'When the door is swung open the tube willcanse the curtain to aline more accurately therewith and nlso tends toprevent flapping.

In the embodiment shown in Fig. 6. the lon itudinal bow 50 whichcorresponds to the ow 3, is inclined in n well known inanner, pivotalmovement at a point in line with the pivots 6 of the door 8 by meansdesignated 51 as a whole similar tov that heretofore described, and thefree end of the arm is likewise retained by holdingimeans 52". TheCurtain 11 may extend to the reir of the pivots 6 but in any event isbuttoned at 53 'to the top and is secured to the free end of the arm inany desired manner (not shown) therefore the entire curtain swings outwith the arml as before.

The embodiment shown in Fig. 8 differs from that just described in thatthe portion of the curtain 11 above the bow 50 is replaced bv athree-cornered curtain 54 that is fastened` to the top and to the bow inany suitable manner. When the curtain 54 is removed or partlyunbuttoned, ventilation may take place through the opening.

Referring to Fig. 7, the door 58 is mounted on pivotsl .59 at itsforward edge and the curtain extends from the rear edge of the door tothe Wind shield 5. The pivotal supporting means 60 for the curtain arm(il is mounted on the bow 50 in line with the pivots 59, while the armitself passes rea-rwardly and downwardly along the under side of the bowto a point near the rear edge of the curtain, where it is held by aretaining means 63 similar to that hereloi'ore described. From theretaining means the arm is curved upwardly tothe upper rear corner ofthe curtain 64 and is fastened thereto in any suitable way. In this asin all other cases where the curtain extends beyond the pivotal axis, itbends about that axis in an obvious manner as the door swings.

Figs. 9 and 10 show a modified construc tion of arm support in which itwill be noted that the pivot 65 is threaded and provided with a nut 66slotted at 68 to receive a cotter pin 69 whereby an initial adjustmentto correspond to the size of the bow 3 is obtained. Mounted on the pivotis u rotatable cam 70 having a Hat lower surface and an upper surfacehaving oppositely disposed depressions 7l and elevations 72 (preferably90 apart), the latter also having slight central depressions i3. Ashallow corrugated spring washer 74 is interposed between the upper faceof the portion Q0 of the arm and ythe lower face of the cam;consequently when the nut isV properly adjusted and the cam is swung bythe handle 75 into the position shown, the washer is forced down uponthe arm to hold it in alinement beneath the bow and the depressions 73of the cam are held in close relation to the Shoe 24.

The construction may be varied widely from the forms described and we donot, therefore, wir-l1 to be limited except as indicated by thesubjoined claims.

l. ln combination with a bow of a motor vehicle top, a curtain arm, aside curtain supported by said arm, and means for supporting said armfor pivotal movements about a substantially vertical axis, said meanseou'iprising a member arranged to engage the bow, and means entirelyexternal to the bow for holding the member in engagement therewith.

2. In combination with a motor vehicle having `a top, a side curtainstructure pivoted to swing in respect to said top, said structureincluding a curtain supporting nrui pivotally supported at one end, anddetachable means carried by the top for normally holding the free end oftiti' arm,

3. In combination with a motor vehiclehaving a collapsible top, a sidecurtain structure pivoted to swin in respect to said top, said structureinclu ing a curtain supporting arm pivotally supported at one end, anddetachable means carried by the top and constructed and arran ed tonormally resiliently support the igree end of the arm to preventmovement in all directions.

4. In combination with a collapsible top of a motor vehicle, said topincluding a longitudinal bow oi curved cross-section a side curtain.supporting arm, and means or supporting the arm on the/bow to allowswingin about a vertical axis, said means comprisinga hook-like memberengaging over the curved upper surface of the bow, said means alsocomprising a second member movable toward and from the lower surface ofthe bow7 whereby bows of different sizes may be accommodated and thehook like lumber may be prevented from becoming accidentally detached.

5. In combination with a bow of a collapsible fop of a Vmotor vehicle.`a curtain supporting arm swingable in and out ih respect to said bow,meansA for supporting the arm on the bow, said means comprising a bowreceiving clamp including a spring pressed jaw.

6. In combination with the bow of a collapsible top of a motor vehicle,a curtain supporting arm pivoted to swing in and out in respect to saidbow, means independent of the pivot for normally supporting the free endof said arm from the bow, said means including a bow gripping clamphavin a spring pressed jaw.

. In combination with the bow of a vehicle Atop and a curtain supportingarm swingable 1n respect to the bow about a vcrtical axis, said armhaving a cylindrical head, a member arranged `to'eoact with the hicletop and a curtain supporting arm swingable in respect to the bow about avertical axis, said arm having a cylindrical head and a body portion, aclamping member enacting with the bow and forming a scat for the lowerend of the head, and

meim intrpowd iwimwfii ilir lic-nii and lin: bow for forcing lm luwni"lows: maro lian seat.

9. In con'iioiimizion with lin: how o :i whiole top and :i rau-tuin:wipporing nrin swngnble in respea-t m tink im about :i vcrtical axis,said. arm haring :i e'ylinfiriml lind and a body poriion, :l clamping:neinber Coaching will; tin: lion* mill ,forming :i sont for he loweri-nii of ille infini. :1mi means interposed between Hw limid :uni :iwbow for forcing Nw imid down onif: :in: sontl` the body pnrion nl iin!ylimi L i upwardly from tim iin-:nl und along clone to the lower siilioitho bow.

10. In combination wili illu bow of :i whicle top anti a Curtainsupporting arm swingable in respect iiaprvlo about :L vertical axismtersecting tim how. laid arm induding .'1 shallow Cyiinflrionl head and:i body portion, pivot menno for snpporlng the :inn

Afrom the bow, said :neuw infflnigiingL im;

members each arranged lo prfss on a for responding end siwfszc: mi' :hecylindrical head and forming bow-wn tllwm :i so tiroiwh which 'the boil?nor'ion oi tlm z-:i'm

b .v i may swing, ono off fiar :':nn'nnsrs inning n flange Surroundingthe rnrvwi fue@ of iin: cylinder and minfornimg lliirelo: and means forprossingg lh@ inni-,milicias ighily logeilnir upon h@ nomi. Y

l, in ooniblnniion will: Je nifl@ inviamiing :i longiiiuiinfil how :unl:i ci: grain Hamlin alom@ the onwisni: of sind bnn: :md

from thence upvv'nrdly, :i curtain si i lng urn: nioiintid to sw'mff n:negligent to lm bow filion a` Sillihiiiniiiily wriicnl imag rmeanssupnorini im.: .firm on lle no' E 'uid maiz-iis infilnding :i @linnninning; von4 tact p'lrtions embracing 'Hw nonni' :mil lower surfaces offha how, :mil :mn-inf: passing along the inner side Si iin: im 15in.'maniaci'.- ing The mutiert portion.

12. In combination willi i: iunior whisk having n collapsible te@irwlmiing :i 5on5-b tudinully extendir@v bow: a mirifziin arm, :i SideCurtain S'llpmfwl fry mili anni* un!! means for supporting` :l uvm i'orpivotal movements about a sn'\.-l.ml;|i, viatical axis, said meansinrlinling sw. i-:limi :1r-

ligeysiao mi lo mori prvssur'e on ihn bow, :and a v:siii nicmbir nnilingto nrgo the: niv nim! inliffiri-lsniw :grinning r'vlnilion lo timinfin'.

iii. in wiiiliinntion wilh :i` minor Vnliirli: imi in I :i :willnieililvup inf-lniing a: longilzfiiiiimliy im Milling' bow, :i i-llitiiin urna.:i eid iiil'lziin mriipnrtvii liv miel :mnl und @mens for iupim'ing sui(urn: for pivotal niiiwimnh niioei' i Suiislnjitiiilly wl'tiizil :mim:fziiil ini-:inn inuiiiingg Hiv liwiiiiwr,'-z. mw nrizinggiwl lo www, uw:mi: on ilw (op -iili iilimi' A:nil iilirother nrrnngnll o rxvi'i imwirr on 'ilu5 lffiwr siiln of tin lion', :u` :i s'afszilivnt nwmimLending lo foiw lliff two nwnilic-rs into pressure exerting rilaiiion loillu lion'. i'

l. n combination with :i motor which: inning :i collapsible mpinrlniling :i` long:u izniinnlly extending bow, :i wurmin :ii-in, :i`sidi: mn'tnin supportml by mid :xx-ni. anni moans; for Supporting Saidarm for oivozii mmvments about :L substantially i'vrtirful :n: i. midmeans invliieling two nwuilifrs` on:- :iriungwl io exnr prf-:Min on iin*iop .silla :if iin: bow :it poinl'g spncvi longnimlinu Eli-awo? :mil timmimi.' arrzmgnd lo vxvrt pri :wref :an ih@ lower sidi: of tins lvow :it:i point :ifsgiogod iemginiiina'lly lwtweon the albori: nwntionrilpoints, anni :1` resilient macminer lrmling io forni: iin? iwf) niemiwrsimo prosIrv uw sk erting aiiiiion io tin bmw'.

i3 iunior whirl@ inwing :i top demon :iliiv pivot nir-:m5 securidthereto;v a curtain :mi: pirolod lo swing on said pivot niena, :milresilient nwuns lvnfling to birth zioel :,:iiil pivot momie; to iin: top:1nd zo impose? rvsistnnvc lo fisc swinging movement of ihn omi.

i6. [n roniliineilion with aA motor vehicie hofljiu :i tup therefor, avnraii: suspended wholly from the: lop, :ind :i :itiening :elenwnivxwiding ilown niong onij frigo of the mnt-:in :mil being fren lo rise:inni full in iisimrt tu the :njncnnf edge of ihn bod n'ivrnivy irri!rvlalziw viimiigion of the Sti M ming i-h-ilmrii in respect to the bodyis :1iwwfii:

KARL mino-Er.A LOUIS M. srin'om.

